Gliding door assembly for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides a door assembly for a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle includes a body portion including at least one aperture formed therein. The door assembly includes a door moveable between a closed position substantially covering the aperture and an open position substantially clearing the aperture. At least one hinge assembly is provided including a substantially elongated lever with first and second pivots. The first pivot is operably attached to the door and the second pivot is operably attached to the vehicle. The lever and the first and second pivots provide an arcuate path movement of the door lengthwise of the vehicle.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A door assembly for a motor vehicle including an aperture formed therein, a portion of the periphery of the aperture being defined by an upper horizontal channel, a lower horizontal channel, and a vertical body pillar positioned between ends of the upper and lower horizontal channels, the door assembly comprising: 
       a door moveable between a closed position substantially covering the aperture and an open position substantially clearing the aperture;  
       an upper hinge assembly comprising a substantially elongated lever including a first pivot attached to the door and a second pivot attached to the body pillar the vehicle; and  
       a lower hinge assembly comprising a lever including a first pivot attached to the door and a second pivot attached to the lower horizontal channel; wherein the upper and lower hinge assemblies provide an arcuate path movement of the door along the length of the vehicle.  
     
     
       2. The door assembly of  claim 1  wherein the door is substantially parallel to a vehicle sidewall portion during movement of the door between the closed and open positions. 
     
     
       3. The door assembly of  claim 1  wherein the door comprises at least one of a vehicle front door and a vehicle side door. 
     
     
       4. The door assembly of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the levers comprises one of a straight configuration or a bent configuration. 
     
     
       5. The door assembly of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first and second pivots comprises a u-shaped member including an aperture formed therein for receiving a bushing. 
     
     
       6. The door assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a pocket portion operably attached to the vehicle, the pocket portion adapted to receive the second pivot of the lower hinge assembly. 
     
     
       7. The door assembly of  claim 1  further comprising at least one hydraulic member operably attached to the door assembly. 
     
     
       8. The door assembly of  claim 1  further comprising at least one drive assembly operably attached to the door assembly. 
     
     
       9. A motor vehicle comprising: 
       a body portion including at least one aperture formed therein, the aperture periphery being partially defined by an upper horizontal channel, a lower horizontal channel, and a vertical body pillar;  
       at least one door assembly including a door moveable between a closed position substantially covering the aperture and an open position substantially clearing the aperture;  
       an upper hinge assembly comprising a substantially elongated lever including a first pivot operably attached to the door and a second pivot operably attached to the vertical body pillar; and  
       a lower hinge assembly comprising a substantially elongated lever including a first pivot operably attached to the door and a second pivot operably attached to the lower horizontal channel, wherein the upper and lower hinge assemblies provide an arcuate path movement of the door along the length of the vehicle.  
     
     
       10. The motor vehicle of  claim 9  wherein the door is substantially parallel to the sidewall portion during movement of the door between the closed and open positions. 
     
     
       11. The motor vehicle of  claim 9  wherein the door comprises at least one of a vehicle front door and a vehicle side door. 
     
     
       12. The motor vehicle of  claim 9  wherein at least one of the levers comprises one of a straight configuration or a bent configuration. 
     
     
       13. The motor vehicle of  claim 9  wherein at least one of the first and second pivots comprises a u-shaped member including an aperture formed therein for receiving a bushing. 
     
     
       14. The motor vehicle of  claim 9  former comprising a pocket portion operably attached to the vehicle, the pocket portion for receiving the second pivot of the lower hinge assembly. 
     
     
       15. The motor vehicle of  claim 9  further comprising at least one hydraulic member operably attached to the door assembly. 
     
     
       16. The motor vehicle of  claim 9  further comprising at least one drive assembly operably attached to the door assembly.